Top 10 pleasures and hidden gems of Bromley

Here is a top 10 list of pleasures and treasures to be found within Bromley.

The list was submitted by Simon Clark, 29, from Bromley, who said: “This list explores some of the finest people and places within Bromley - exposing some hidden gems that many will enjoy as much as I do.

“Hopefully they will also show the diversity and range of this borough.”

His highlights of Bromley are:

1. Bromley Little Theatre: An amateur theatre based in Bromley North that has been around for many years. So much great talent has passed through the doors of this venue leading to successful careers. It is also a place for people to join in and get involved to any level they want. Try acting, singing, dancing, directing, set-building, producing, bar work and so much more.

2. The Lavender House Cafe: This brilliant cafe is run by people from the local area for the local community. Such a beautiful venue full of friendly faces, set in the gorgeous Sundridge Park Village area of Bromley. I personally recommend the afternoon teas.

3. Kings Meadow Park: This park is small but beautiful. A great place to sit in the summer and read, write or have a picnic. Used by locals but a special haven for all to enjoy. It is also a handy short cut from Sundridge Park to Burnt Ash Lane. Great playground, good for joggers, cyclists, dog walkers and everybody else I haven't got space to mention.

4. The Star & Garter: This brilliant pub is based opposite the cinema in Bromley High Street and provides great entertainment. Everything from comedy nights to Jazz and blues as well as regular pub events like karaoke and quizzes. This venue specifically caters to the LGBT community but all are welcome. This award-winning pub proves that the LGBT community does not need to be isolated but can become a part of the whole borough.

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5. Bromley North Walk:Bromley Council provide a tour of sites and places to see in the local area of historical, social and community interest. Taking in blue plaques for many of the famous faces who have descended from our borough, public houses, parks, buildings and so much more. It is worth checking out the website.

Simon Spencer-Hyde played the part of H.G Wells at the launch of the heritage trail mentioned above

6. Community House Cafe: Situated opposite Bromley fire station and open to all members of the community. Good quality food and beverages are served at very reasonable prices. This cafe allows all of us but especially those with disabilities (physical, learning etc...) to interact and feel safe. Run by a small but dedicated team...this is one venture worth supporting.

7. Indoor Antiques Market: Many people are aware of the markets that take place outdoors, but there is also a brilliant antiques and collectibles market held on Thursdays in the Bromley United Reformed Church (near Boots on Widmore Road). This is a place where you can chat and relive the feeling of what made Bromley great - its market town history.

8. Havet: This relatively new Turkish restaurant has quickly become one of the most lively and loved of Bromley's restaurants. Great food, great prices and always guaranteed a great atmosphere. If you haven't experienced it yet I recommend booking a table as soon as possible. The Calamar is a personal favourite.

9. Bromley War Memorial: It is easy to walk past this sculpture without taking the time to look closely at it. It can be found at the top of Martin's Hill. This needle-shaped column commemorates the fallen of WWI and WWII, and it was designed by Sydney March. A place of serenity to escape to and a chance to remember.

10. Darwin's Wall: There is a mural depicting the Origin of Species as a commemoration of Charles Darwin located in Market Square. This beautiful painting has long been a landmark. It is a nice piece to sit and look at, to study and to enjoy. Previously it was a memorial to HG Wells, but both these local legends deserve displaying.

This list was submitted as part of our ‘write a top 10 list’ competition. If you have an interesting or funny list, send it to us for the chance to win £50 when the competition ends on March 31.

Once we receive your list we'll check it over and if it's suitable we'll publish it at newsshopper.co.uk. Out of all the lists received we'll pick our favourite, taking into account page views and shares after it's been published, and the author of the winning list will be sent a £50 cheque.

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Comments (4)

This is a list of Bromley town interest spots, not the Bromley borough! I am puzzled as to why a recently opened Turkish restaurant appears in the list whilst the respectively Grade I and Grade II listed Bromley & Sheppards Colleges ( opposite Bromley Magistrates Court) do not? Also to refer to "Sundridge Park Village" is technically incorrect, "Sundridge Park" is the park itself, the village is simply "Sundridge". I understand the locals paid for the sign themselves so I am not going to go there & gripe about it. Kings Meadow liesnot in Sundridge, but in Plaistow, it would be nice if that village had its own sign too.

This is a list of Bromley town interest spots, not the Bromley borough!
I am puzzled as to why a recently opened Turkish restaurant appears in the list whilst the respectively Grade I and Grade II listed Bromley & Sheppards Colleges ( opposite Bromley Magistrates Court) do not? Also to refer to "Sundridge Park Village" is technically incorrect, "Sundridge Park" is the park itself, the village is simply "Sundridge". I understand the locals paid for the sign themselves so I am not going to go there & gripe about it.
Kings Meadow liesnot in Sundridge, but in Plaistow, it would be nice if that village had its own sign too.goldenbroomboy

This is a list of Bromley town interest spots, not the Bromley borough! I am puzzled as to why a recently opened Turkish restaurant appears in the list whilst the respectively Grade I and Grade II listed Bromley & Sheppards Colleges ( opposite Bromley Magistrates Court) do not? Also to refer to "Sundridge Park Village" is technically incorrect, "Sundridge Park" is the park itself, the village is simply "Sundridge". I understand the locals paid for the sign themselves so I am not going to go there & gripe about it. Kings Meadow liesnot in Sundridge, but in Plaistow, it would be nice if that village had its own sign too.

Score: 5

cookster says...8:59am Fri 14 Mar 14

Where does it mention Bromley borough in the article?

Where does it mention Bromley borough in the article?cookster

Where does it mention Bromley borough in the article?

Score: 2

cookster says...9:00am Fri 14 Mar 14

Oh, third para - my mistake.

Oh, third para - my mistake.cookster

Oh, third para - my mistake.

Score: 1

poptasticboy says...2:58pm Thu 10 Apr 14

Vitriolal wrote…

josh browser wrote…

I find it laughable that of all the good, nice, boozers in Bromley this bloke comes up with a gay boozer the star & garter then says it proves that the gay community are not "isolated" ?! The whole point about "gay" boozers with their "rainbow" flags is that they want to be isolated and have their own boozers! and what a cheek saying "everyone" is welcome! meaning we want the straight peoples money when the trade is quiet! Gay people cant have it both ways, you want "gay" boozer then staight people will be inclined NOT to visit them as other people will think they are gay! I would not use a boozer that advertises itself as gay for the simple reason that "straight" pubs do not advertise the fact that they are straight! So just get over yourselves and stop the whinging!

I recently walked past this pub and some very dirty looking seedy individuals were outside one of whom spat onto the floor; the thing is who wants to catch some life threatening disease from a grubby pub these days? I heard AIDS is catchable through spitting so i wouldnt take a chance on it

What a ridiculous thing to say - AIDS isn't "catchable" at all, the virus is called HIV and it most certainly cannot be passed on by spitting. Further more, the implication that people at a gay bar would be HIV positive is repulsive.

[quote][p][bold]Vitriolal[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]josh browser[/bold] wrote:
I find it laughable that of all the good, nice, boozers in Bromley this bloke comes up with a gay boozer the star & garter then says it proves that the gay community are not "isolated" ?! The whole point about "gay" boozers with their "rainbow" flags is that they want to be isolated and have their own boozers! and what a cheek saying "everyone" is welcome! meaning we want the straight peoples money when the trade is quiet! Gay people cant have it both ways, you want "gay" boozer then staight people will be inclined NOT to visit them as other people will think they are gay! I would not use a boozer that advertises itself as gay for the simple reason that "straight" pubs do not advertise the fact that they are straight! So just get over yourselves and stop the whinging![/p][/quote]I recently walked past this pub and some very dirty looking seedy individuals were outside one of whom spat onto the floor; the thing is who wants to catch some life threatening disease from a grubby pub these days? I heard AIDS is catchable through spitting so i wouldnt take a chance on it[/p][/quote]What a ridiculous thing to say - AIDS isn't "catchable" at all, the virus is called HIV and it most certainly cannot be passed on by spitting. Further more, the implication that people at a gay bar would be HIV positive is repulsive.poptasticboy

Vitriolal wrote…

josh browser wrote…

I find it laughable that of all the good, nice, boozers in Bromley this bloke comes up with a gay boozer the star & garter then says it proves that the gay community are not "isolated" ?! The whole point about "gay" boozers with their "rainbow" flags is that they want to be isolated and have their own boozers! and what a cheek saying "everyone" is welcome! meaning we want the straight peoples money when the trade is quiet! Gay people cant have it both ways, you want "gay" boozer then staight people will be inclined NOT to visit them as other people will think they are gay! I would not use a boozer that advertises itself as gay for the simple reason that "straight" pubs do not advertise the fact that they are straight! So just get over yourselves and stop the whinging!

I recently walked past this pub and some very dirty looking seedy individuals were outside one of whom spat onto the floor; the thing is who wants to catch some life threatening disease from a grubby pub these days? I heard AIDS is catchable through spitting so i wouldnt take a chance on it

What a ridiculous thing to say - AIDS isn't "catchable" at all, the virus is called HIV and it most certainly cannot be passed on by spitting. Further more, the implication that people at a gay bar would be HIV positive is repulsive.

Ipsoregulated

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